Starlight steams in bang on time

THERE will be no sighs of disapproval at timetable changes for Woking commuters this month as Starlight Express has steamed into the New Victoria Theatre bang on time with no possible threats of leaves on the line or buckling tracks.

After an 18-year run in London, the touring version of the railway musical does not have the luxury of a looping track around the auditorium but makes up for it with updated songs and a larger than average stage. This is a boy meets girl story with a difference. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe’s surreal tale uses train carriages and engines as the show’s characters and the boy in question is a rusty steam train and the love of his life, a beautiful observation carriage. What’s more, the entire cast of rolling stock is on roller skates for the whole show. It’s like nothing you’ve seen before — futuristic costumes and high octane skate-dance pieces with imaginative choreography by Arlene Phillips. Although restricted on the New Vic stage, extended for the show’s run until May 27, cast members perform complicated manoeuvres that keen teenagers in the skate park would find hard to replicate. The show’s score covers a wide spectrum of musical styles, from sexy Greaseball’s rock’n’roll numbers and Dinah’s country and western pastiche, U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D, to Poppa’s blues numbers and the Hip Hoppers’ rap. To compensate for the lack of track, the audience is invited to don 3D goggles to watch the show’s race scenes on a large screen and this, for me, was the weakest element of the show although people sitting near me seemed to love it. Oliver Thornton gives a strong performance as the show’s under-dog hero, Rusty, and Miria Parvin, in her professional debut, gives a confident performance as observation car Pearl. Tom Kanavan’s Greaseball is an intoxicating, comical blend of Elvis meets John Travolta while Michael Samuels’ Poppa’s Blues is the perfect vehicle for his wonderful voice. Starlight Express has a unique theme, fantastic staging, great musical numbers and will appeal to everyone, young and old. My admiration and congratulations to the cast for pulling off the complicated task of singing, acting, dancing and skating at the same time. Well done. Carey Middleton